The highest level. All those minor league hitters of the year? They would all trade it for playing in the major leagues, I’m sure. And maybe they will some day. But this award goes to the best hitter in the major league who also happens to be a Valley League alumnus since the 2004 season.
2014 Winner: Brett Gardner (New Market 2003-04)
2015 Winner: Jason Kipnis (Covington 2006-07)
This was an easy call- not because everyone else was bad, but because Kipnis was so good. Jason hit 303/372/451 in 141 games and 565 at-bats for the Indians. He added 86 runs, 52 RBIs, 42 doubles, 7 triples, 9 home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 57/107 BB/K ratio. He made his second all-star game in 2015, finished 7th in the American League in OBP, 7th in batting average, 2nd in doubles, 5th in fielding percentage (2B), 16th in MVP voting, and was named the May player of the month.
All of that equals the 2015 Valley League major league hitter of the year!
Others to Consider
Dan Murphy (Luray 2004-05): 281/322/449 in 499 at-bats for the Mets, 38 doubles, 14 home runs, 73 RBIs, 31/38 BB/K, a ridiculous postseason- one for the ages- and then a new free agent contract with the Nationals
Clint Robinson (Harrisonburg 2005-06): 272/358/424 in 309 at-bats for the Nationals, 15 doubles, 10 home runs, 37/52 BB/K ratio
Yonder Alonso (Luray 2006): 282/361/381 in 354 at-bats for the Padres, 18 doubles, 5 home runs, 42/48 BB/K
Corey Spangenberg (Winchester 2010): 271/333/399 in 303 at-bats for the Padres, 17 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 9 stolen bases, 28/75 BB/K
Joey Butler (New Market 2006): 276/326/416 in 257 at-bats for the Rays, 12 doubles, 8 home runs, 16/82 BB/K
Brett Gardner (New Market 2003-04): 259/343/399 in 571 at-bats for the Yankees, 26 doubles, 16 home runs, 68/135 BB/K
All Things Valley League 